Washington Car Rentals & Travel Guide

Washington, D.C. is the place where political leaders engage and modern visionaries move and shake the landscape of the United States. Here, history is made and the future is always in motion. To keep up with the rhythm of America’s capital city, rent a car in Washington, D.C. and harness your dynamism for a whirlwind tour of the National Mall, the White House, and several museums and monuments celebrating diversity, goodwill, and the pursuit of happiness.

Sample from the smorgasbord of flavors from around the globe—from fried chicken to spicy green curry—all of which have found a home in the District like the people who enrich this city. Read on and learn more about where our car rental deals in Washington, D.C. will take you.

Where to Stay in Washington, D.C.

Your walking shoes and road atlas will get a lot of use on this trip, but when you aren’t wandering through museums, pondering history, and exploring the Eastern Seaboard in an adventure-ready Washington, D.C. rental car, relax in a fabulous hotel. Consider these guest favorite Washingnton, D.C. hotels:

The Dupont Circle Hotel: Dupont Circle is both vintage and avant-garde, as this “Old City” district happens to be a charming LGBTQ community close to both the White House and Ford’s Theater. The neighborhood’s eponymous hotel is both classic and contemporary with elegant dining options, a fitness center, gorgeous garden views, and valet parking.

Omni Shoreham Hotel: One look at the shimmering chandeliers and you’ll wonder if you’ve been mistaken for a diplomat from the nearby Swiss Embassy. Take a dip in the pool, dine on the restaurant terrace, or take advantage of the location and order a picnic to take to Woodley Park—just pick up your car from the valet on your way out.

Washington Plaza: This hotel is for those who love bold designs and new experiences. Washington Plaza boasts the former with stunning décor, while its prime location is within walking distance to the National Geographic Society and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. – Convention Center: Whether you’re traveling for pleasure or coming to town for a conference, this hotel has all the amenities to make your stay easy and luxurious. Walk a few blocks to the White House and see a show at the nearby Ford’s Theater, or join the nightly hotel reception after a day trip. There will be plenty of valet parking when you get back.

Capitol Hill and Beyond

The District is compact and with the key to a convenient Washington, D.C. car rental you’ll always be a short drive from the National Mall, where you can visit the Lincoln Memorial, the National Museum of African American History & Culture, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and so much more. There, on that verdant lawn, you’ll stand where women marched in 1913 for the 19th Amendment and where sit-ins for various causes covered the Senate floor.

When you travel to the national capital, you’ll touch down at either Reagan International Airport (3 miles south of downtown) or Dulles International Airport (26 miles west). Both offer public transit, but many wise wanderers book rental car deals in Washington, D.C. for the freedom to visit sights outside the city—and that’s what this destination is all about. Take the 79-mile scenic route east to Saint Michaels, Maryland—an enchanting seaside town north of the Chesapeake Bay—or let your imagination run wild at the American Visionary Art Museum, located 38 miles away in Baltimore.

If you want to see the world in one city, it’s time to visit the nation’s capital. To turn this meditation on Americana into an expedition, book one of our cheap rental cars in Washington, D.C. Travelocity’s price-matching promise means you’ll get the best deals from us, guaranteed.

Here at Travelocity, we’re committed to helping you score cheap deals on Washington car rentals. We’ll have your rental car waiting for you as soon as you arrive in town. Traveling with your whole family in tow? Choose a spacious and affordable van to keep your crew sane throughout the trip. Exploring the city with your sweetheart? Reserve a swanky two-seater as you paint the town red. With our low rates on rental cars in Washington, you can go out and smell the roses, without stressing out your bank account. You can even use our mobile booking app to snag exclusive deals, so you can spend more on your adventures and less on your vehicle.